Rotary spindle tip device



July 21, 1964 SHIGEMATSU TAKITA 3,141,286

ROTARY SPINDLE TIP DEVICE Filed Feb. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG+1 FIG INVENTOR. 5H \GEMATSU TAKFTA y 21, 1964 SHIGEMATSU TAKITA 3,141,286

ROTARY SPINDLE TIP DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1962 FIG FIG

FIG- 4 FIG FIG

INVENTOR. SHlGEMATSU TAKH'A BY y W attorney United States Patent 3,141,286 ROTARY SPIWDLE TIP DEVICE Shigematsu Takita, Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan, assignor to Nihon Shaft Co., Ltd, Hyogo, Japan Filed Feb. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 171,468 Claims priority, application Japan May 31, 1961 11 Claims. (CI. 57-73) This invention relates to a rotary device for spindles of spinning or twisting machines, and, more particularly, to an assembly which performs twisting in cooperation with the traveler and which performs twisting as its principal role as a result of being located far nearer to the feed rollers than in the case of conventional or prior art mechanisms. This is significant in the situation where particularly long rolls are being wound so that there is an extra long vertical travel of the ring.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a device of the nature stated wherein the twisting disc is rotatably mounted at the top end of the spindle, coaxially and independently thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction as aforesaid, wherein the thread guide is positioned closely adjacent the top center of the twisting disc and which effectively controls and reduces ballooning of the thread.

A still further object is to provide a twisting device which is removably mounted upon the spindle and in which the twisting disc is journaled for independent rotation coaxially of and relatively to the spindle.

Another object is to provide a twisting device for a spinning machine wherein practically all twisting is effected by the disc.

Yet another object is to provide a twisting device of the nature aforesaid which is easily removed for repair or replacement, protected against excessive wear, safe in use, and which produces thread of fine, smooth and uniform texture.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, after a study of the following detailed description, in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical axial cross section showing a first form of the invention;

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are corresponding sections of second, third and fourth forms, respectively;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the twisting disc;

FIGURE 6 is a diagram showing the relation between the thread, twisting disc, and thread guide, as the ring rail rises;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of a portion of the friction sleeve in the species of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 8 is an end view of the friction sleeve of FIGURE 7.

Referring in detail to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, 2 identifies a winding shell or holder shown as of wood and having a central axial bore fitting spindle 1. The upper end of the shell is counterbored as at 18 to receive a cylindrical casing 8 having its lower end seated upon an annular shoulder formed by first and second portions of the counterbore, of different diameters, and its upper end flush with the corresponding end of shell 2.

Twisting disc 3 has notches 4 in its periphery, equiangularly spaced as shown upon FIG. 5, and an integral depending hub 5 by which it is keyed or otherwise fixed to the upper end of stub shaft 10. Shaft is journaled for rotation in shell 2, by a bearing assembly which includes a bearing sleeve 9 fitting within casing 8 and having its lower end closed by a cap 9a threaded to engage internal threads of the sleeve. The upper end of sleeve 9 is fitted with a gland 9b through which the shaft extends. Upper and lower antifriction bearings 13, 13:: are separated by a cylindrical spacer or spool 1317. Upper and lower thrust plates 13c and 13d are interposed respectively between upper gland 9b and bearing 13, and lower cap 9a and bearing 13a. The construction is such that disc 3 rotates in its bearings with very little friction and with only a slight amount of end or axial play, as indicated by the axial separation between gland 9b and upper thrust plate 13c.

A magnet 11 is fixed in the lower end of the counterbore in shell 2, symmetrically of the axis thereof, and acts to prevent axial vibration of the shaft 10 and the parts mounting it for rotation, and to yieldingly hold the assembly of bearings, sleeve, shaft and disc against axial removal from shell 2. A thread guide 6 is mounted, by means not shown, for vertical or axial adjustment, from a position as shown upon FIG. 1, wherein the vertical separation between guide 6 and the disc 3 is one centimeter or less, to an upper position. Referring to FIGURE 6, the position 6 corresponds to that shown in FIG. 1. In this position the pass of thread from guide 6 to the flyer, makes a relatively large angle with respect to the axis of the spindle. In position 6' the guide has been moved upwardly so that the angle 64-17 is essentially the same as 6'417'.

In FIG. 2, shell 2a has a counterbore 18 in its upper end, to receive a bearing holder or support 12. In order to provide a snug frictional interengagement between the shell and holder, a metal cylinder 14 is attached to the end of the holder. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, this cylinder has equally-spaced longitudinal slots 14a in its peripheral wall and the intervening portions between slots are bowed slightly outwardly to frictionally engage the walls of bore 18 so that the holder and shell rotate as a unit with the spindle. Twisting disc 3a has a diameter less than disc 3 but has its periphery similarly notched as at 4:1. Cylindrical bearing sleeve 9c removably fits an axial bore in the upper end of the bearing holder 12, and is axially apertured to receive shaft 19a fixed with disc 3a and journaled for rotation in the sleeve by antifriction upper and lower bearings 13 and 13a, held in place, respectively, by thrust plate Be and race 13f. A seal 13g fits the upper end of the bore in holder 12 and protects the bearings. Added protection is afforded by the upper circular end of holder 12 interfitting with a channel in the under side of disc 3a.

In the species shown at FIGURE 3, the disc: 3b is essentially like 3a, and its shaft 10b is similarly journaled in antifriction bearings 13 in sleeve which removably fits a bore in the holder 12a. Holder 12a has a tapered bore 712 in its lower end fitting down over the upper end of spindle 1. Tube 2b fits the cylindrical surface of holder 12:: and is releasably held against axial displacement by a number of buttons is mounted in respective recesses in the holder for limited movement radially thereof, each being urged outwardly by a spring 15. When the tube is properly positioned axially of the holder as shown, buttons 16 snap into recesses in the inner walls of the holder to releasably maintain the shell in proper winding position.

The species of FIGURE 4 is essentially like that shown in FIG. 3, so that it is sufficient to identify disc 30, notches 4b, bearing sleeve 9d, shaft 10b, holder 12b and sleeve 20.

In operation, when spindle 1 starts to rotate, if no thread is positioned in a notch of disc 3, 3a, etc., the latter also attains a speed of rotation nearly that of the spindle and shell 2, 2a, etc. When a thread from the feed rollers to thread guide 6 is held by the guide, positioned closely adjacent disc 3, the thread is twisted rapidly over its length extending back to the feed rollers, without,

however, breaking, because the disc is decelerated relatively to the spindle and winding shell and winding of the thread upon the shell begins.

Careful inspection by stroboscope flashing synchronous- 1y withrotation of the parts shows that the thread seetions-passing from disc 3 to the traveler, not shown, and thence to the winding shell, cop, or bobbin, are nearly coplanar in a plane radial of the axis of the spindle. Hence twisting is performed almost entirely by the disc 3 and the thread sections mentioned pass as a unitary element from the disc to the shell, so that the traveler acts largely to regulate or to smooth out irregular twisting. The result is a reduction in the load on the traveler and ring, so that the traveler may be made light in weight, with a corresponding reduction in centrifugal forces and resulting wear upon the ring.

Furthermore, because the twisting of the thread is performed almost exclusively by the twisting disc 3, 311, etc., as compared with prior art machines wherein the twisting is performed by the traveler alone, I have found that the thread tension is less in the portions mentioned so that Weak spots are eliminated and the thread produced is strong and uniform in composition. Since thread guide 6 is located closely against disc 3, centrifugal forces due to ballooning cannot throw thethread out of its notch 4 and is efficiently controlled.

Furthermore, since the thread is not tensioned until the disc 3, 3a, etc., starts to rotate, and since this rotation is delayed for a period by the fact that the disc is journaled for rotation on and about the axis of the spindle, there is time for the operator to effect tying.

Another advantage is that the assembly comprising the disc, its shaft, bearings and casing can be lifted off, even while the machine is in operation, to thus greatly facilitate removal of waste thread or replacement with another disc assembly. Of course, in the case of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the assembly referred to includes holder 12, 12a or 12b, as the case may be.

Having fully disclosed the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An attachment for a spinning machine having a tapered vertical rotary spindle, a winding shell having a central axial aperture in its lower end to frictionally fit said spindle and project upwardly therefrom, the projecting end of said shell being counterbored coaxially of said aperture, a holder frictionally and removably fitting said counterbore, and having a portion projecting upwardly therefrom, there being an axial bore in said portion, opening through the upper end thereof, a sleeve frictionally and removably fitting said bore, a shaft, a twisting disc fixed to the upper end of said shaft, and antifriction bearing meansjournaling the lower end of said shaft within said sleeve for rotation on an axis coaxial with the spindle, said shell, holder, sleeve, shaft and disc being axially removable as a unit from said spindle, and said holder, sleeve, shaft and disc being removable as a unit from said shell.

2. An attachment for a spinning machine, having a spindle rotary about a fixed vertical axis, holder means having a central axial bore in its lower end and adapted to frictionally fit the upper end of said spindle for rotation as a unit therewith and having a portion projecting upwardly therefrom coaxially and symmetrically of said axis, a bearing sleeve removably fitting an axial bore in and opening through the upper end of said portion, a shaft, a twisting disc fixed to the upper end of said shaft and antifriction bearing means journaling said shaft with in said sleeve, said holder means, sleeve, shaft, and disc being removable as a unit from said spindle by upward movement along said axis.

3. In an attachment for a spinning machine having a tapered spindle rotatable on a fixed axis, holder means symmetrical about said axis and having a bore coaxially of said axis and opening through its lower end to frictionally fit the upper end of said spindle, there being an 3 upper bore opening through the top end of said holder means, a shaft, a bearing sleeve removably fitting said upper bore, antifriction bearings journaling the lower end of said shaft in said sleeve and holding the same against axial movement relatively to said sleeve, and a twisting disc fixed to the upper end of said shaft immediately above said holder means, said holder means, sleeve, shaft and disc being removable as a unit from said spindle by upward movement along said axis.

4. An attachment as inclaim 3, saidholder means comprising a unitary one-piece support symmetrical about the axis of said spindle when positioned thereon with the lower bore fittingover the top end of the spindle, said support having a central enlarged substantially cylin drical surface to frictionally receive the internal cylindrical surface of a winding shell and support the same for rotation out of contact with said spindle;

5. An attachment as in claim 4, the diameter of said enlarged cylindrical surface being greater than the corresponding dimension of said disc.

6. An attachment as in claim 3, said holder means comprising a one-piece support having a central cylindrical surface sized to receive a winding shell with a smooth fit, and equiangularly spaced, spring-pressed latch means carried by said cylindrical surface for radial extension therefrom and yieldingly engaging correspondingly angularly spaced depressions in the interior surface of a winding shell when properly axially positioned over and along said surface.

7. In an attachment for a spinning machine having a spindle rotary about a fixed vertical axis, a holder having a vertical axis of symmetry and first and second bores coaxial of said axis and opening through its lower and upper-ends respectively, said first bore being sized to frictionally fit the upper end of said spindle for rotation as a unit therewith, a shaft having its lower end journalled in said second bore coaxially of said axis, and a twisting disc fixed to the upper end of said shaft exteriorly and above said holder, said holder being formed with an enlarged cylindrical exterior surface between its ends, a winding shell frictionally fitting over and about said enlarged surface, out of contact with said spindle, said holder, shell, shaft and disc being removable as a unit upwardly from said spindle.

8. The attachment of claim 7, and means carried by said holder in said cylindrical surface, to yieldingly frictionally engage recesses in the interior wall of said shell to locate the same in a predetermined position axially with respect to said surface.

9. The combination with a winding shell for the rotary spindle of'a spinning machine, said shell having a central vertical longitudinal axis of symmetry and a bore in its lower end coaxial of said axis, said bore being sized to frictionally fit over the upper end of the spindle said shell having a counterbore in and opening through the upper end thereof, of a bearing sleeve, means frictionally and removably fitting said counterbore and removably mounting said sleeve coaxially of said axis, a shafthaving its lower end within said sleeve and its upper end projecting therefrom, antifriction bearing means mounting the lower end of said shaft for rotation within said sleeve coaxially of said axis, and a twisting disc fixed to the upper end of said shaft exteriorly of said shell and sleeve, said shell, sleeve, fitting means, shaft and disc being removable as a unit from the spindle, and said sleeve, fitting means, shaft and disc being removable as a unit from said shell.

10. The combination of claim 9, and a discrete thread guide positioned closely above said disc on said axis of symmetry, and through which thread passes to said disc, said guide being adjustable along said axis to vary the distance from said disc and thereby maintain substantially constant the angle made by the thread in its passage to and from said disc.

11. An attachment. for a spinning machine having a,

5 6 tapered rotary spindle, a shaft, a twisting disc fixed to the References Cited in the file of this patent :ppe r end of said shaft, a winding shell, antifriction UNITED STATES PATENTS earings 1ournalxng the lower end of said shaft w1th1n an upwardly-opening axial bore in said shell, said shell hav- 9591198 Boyd May 1910 ing a downwardly-opening axial bore frictionally fitting 5 2,168,248 Staufert 1939 over the upper end of said spindle, said shell, shaft and 2,571,109 Carter et 1951 disc being removable as a unit from said spindle by 2,758,438 NaufTouron 1956 upward movement axially thereof, said twisting disc 3,015,931 Koolstra et 1962 having e ually-spaced open thread-guide notches in its periphery and an apertured thread-guide positioned FOREIGN PATENTS closely adjacent the upper surface of said disc coaxially 853,906 Great Britain 1960 of and adjustable relatively to said disc along the axis of said spindle. 

1. AN ATTACHMENT FOR A SPINNING MACHINE HAVING A TAPERED VERTICAL ROTARY SPINDLE, A WINDING SHELL HAVING A CENTRAL AXIAL APERTURE IN ITS LOWER END TO FRICTIONALLY FIT SAID SPINDLE AND PROJECT UPWARDLY THEREFROM, THE PROJECTING END OF SAID SHELL BEING COUNTERBORED COAXIALLY OF SAID APERTURE, A HOLDER FRICTIONALLY AND REMOVABLY FITTING SAID COUNTERBORE, AND HAVING A PORTION PROJECTING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, THERE BEING AN AXIAL BORE IN SAID PORTION, OPENING THROUGH THE UPPER END THEREOF, A SLEEVE FRICTIONALLY AND REMOVABLY FITTING SAID BORE, A SHAFT, A TWISTING DISC FIXED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SHAFT, AND ANTIFRICTION BEARING MEANS JOURNALING THE LOWER END OF SAID SHAFT WITHIN SAID SLEEVE FOR ROTATION ON AN AXIS COAXIAL WITH THE SPINDLE, SAID SHELL, HOLDER, SLEEVE, SHAFT AND DISC BEING AXIALLY REMOVABLE AS A UNIT FROM SAID SPINDLE, AND 